Ed Reed released, next stop Patriots?

FOXBORO — Ed Reed obviously talked his way out of Houston, leading to the possibility he could soon be playing for New England.

The Texans released Reed on Tuesday. The move came two days after the nine-time Pro Bowl safety said the Texans were "outplayed and outcoached" in a 27-24 loss to the Cardinals on Sunday that dropped their record to 2-7.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick has been an unabashed supporter of Reed through the years. One would suspect he'd at least investigate the idea of signing the future Hall of Famer should he clear waivers, especially considering the uncertainty here at the position.

Starter Steve Gregory broke his right thumb in a win over the Steelers on Nov. 3 and is expected to miss at least a few weeks. His backups are disappointing sophomore Tavon Wilson, rookie Duron Harmon and special teamer Nate Ebner.

Belichick didn't meet with the media Tuesday, but quarterback Tom Brady did and downplayed any lobbying he might do on behalf of Reed.

"Those things are so far out of my control," Brady said. "I have a lot of other things to worry about. Coach (Belichick) always makes those decisions."

Reed spent his first 11 seasons playing for the Ravens. He signed a three-year, $15-million deal with the Texans in the offseason. Suffice to say, neither side was pleased with how things went from there.

The Texans, who were booted out of the playoffs by the Patriots last season, have lost seven straight after starting 2-0. As for Reed, the 35-year-old missed both wins while recovering from hip surgery and lost his starting job earlier this month due to poor play.

Reed has 16 tackles in seven games. He has yet to record an interception after averaging five-plus for his career.

The assumption is Reed will clear waivers because any team claiming him could be on the hook for nearly $800,000 over the final seven games. If he does, the Patriots would have to decide whether Reed was just a bad fit in Houston or his play has deteriorated to the point where he couldn't even be a serviceable backup here.

Receiver LaQuan Williams, who signed with the Patriots on Nov. 5 after spending his first two seasons with the Ravens, remains a staunch supporter of Reed.

"Great guy, man, a wonderful player as well," Williams said. "He's one of those guys that stands out in the locker room. He really helps out in the locker room. He keeps your team together.

"(It's) definitely kind of surprising. I didn't know anything about that. It would be a great thing to have another familiar face in the locker room."

It's also worth noting the Patriots have games remaining against Reed's two previous employers, the Texans and the Ravens, and his knowledge could come in handy.

Gronk shows his 'wit'

Rob Gronkowski clearly had too much free time during the bye week, what with the team getting six straight days off.

Video surfaced on TMZ on Tuesday showing the All-Pro tight end making fun of an Asian fan at a football viewing party Sunday at Bar Louie, which is located at Patriot Place.

Gronkowski called the man "Leslie Chow," in reference to the character played by Ken Jeong in "The Hangover" and mocked his dancing form, saying, "They told me he could only cook fried rice."

Suffice to say, this should go over well with Belichick.

Vereen eligible Monday

It was cold, wind and practice for the Patriots, who put their bye week behind them as they began preparations for their Monday night matchup with the 6-3 Panthers in Carolina.

Gregory was the only player who sat out. Meanwhile, running back Shane Vereen continued his comeback from a wrist injury suffered in the season opener against the Bills.

Vereen is eligible to come off injured reserve this week, although the expectation is if the Patriots were to do so they'd wait until Monday afternoon to keep the Panthers guessing.

"He's a very dependable, consistent player," Brady said of Vereen, who rushed for 101 yards and caught seven passes in his lone appearance. "The more of those guys you have on your team, the better you are. He's really been that and played a really important role for us the last few years.

"Whenever he's back out there, whether it's this week, next week, the following week, we'll be excited to have him but those things are kind of out of my control. But he's a really good player for us."

Added 1 p.m. game

The Patriots' game against the Texans on Dec. 1 in Houston has been moved to 1 p.m. courtesy of flex scheduling. The luster of the matchup, which had been slated for 4:25 p.m., disappeared as the losses mounted for the Texans.

That means four of the Patriots' final seven games are scheduled for 1 p.m. with the other three at 8:30 p.m. or a few minutes later.

Veteran guard Logan Mankins shows up when he's told, but admitted he's partial to playing in the late afternoon on Sundays.

"I like 4 (p.m.) the best," Mankins said. "Just get up, eat, sit around a little bit and then go. I don't mind 1, it's the late ones I'm not a fan of … (although) you do get to take a nap that day."